Post by Akomplice on Oct 21, 2010 21:48:27 GMT -5
Coming into this season the Blazers are expecting Joe Johnson to step up his game and lead this team further than they made it last year. The Blazers brought back veterans Donyell Marshall and Sam Cassell for leadership on this young team. The Blazers brought in a few rookies to give the team some youth and athleticism. Overall the Blazers have a mixed team that should produce some interesting camp battles.
At the center spot the Blazers are very thin with only Brad Miller as a true center. Brad Miller brings some good defense, rebounding and can bang in the post a little bit. Miller's best trait is the fact that he can run the offense and move the ball with the best of them. Miller brings a solid game to the table, but the team needs to address it's center position.
At the power forward position the Blazers brought back Donyell Marshall because he is a good stretch four. Marshall enjoyed a solid 17/10 with the Blazers in a contract year last year. Donyell has the ability to knock down the three and take his man off the dribble. He also has the knack for finding the open man. Backing him up is Vin Baker who is essentially an expiring contract. Najera is the energy big off the bench who brings some pesky defense from the four position. The Blazers have a solid power forward group, but the room for improvement is clearly evident.
At the small forward position the Blazers find themselves with a lot of question marks. Between Brown, Nachbar, Jeffries and Weatherspoon the Blazers don't really have one starting caliber small forward. The leading candidate to start is Jeffries because of his defensive abilities that he brings to the table. Weatherspoon signed a long term contract, but has regressed ever since. The other two candidates are Brown and Nachbar who haven't looked impressive at all. This is a position that the Blazers will look to upgrade through trades.
The shooting guard position is the strongest spot on this team. Joe Johnson is the leader of this team and is only entering his second year in the league. Johnson can handle the ball, shoot the three and take his man off the dribble. Another impressive feat about Johnson is that he actually takes pride in his man defense. Backing him up will be Woods and Welsch. These two players will probably see limited minutes off the bench with Woods getting the backup spot.
The point guard position is very solid for the Blazers. Sam Cassell is teaching the point guards on the roster, Omar Cook and Erick Barkley. Cook emerged as a leader in the offseason stepping up his game with his improved defense and handling. Barkley stayed the same for the most part in the offseason, probably losing his minutes to Cook in the process. Sam Cassell will be starting as the point guard again for the Blazers. With his age and experience he gives the team the best chance to win ball games.
Overall the Blazers have a decent roster, but there is room for improvement. They will be a fringe playoff team, but looking at the future with Joe Johnson the fans are willing to be patient.
At the center spot the Blazers are very thin with only Brad Miller as a true center. Brad Miller brings some good defense, rebounding and can bang in the post a little bit. Miller's best trait is the fact that he can run the offense and move the ball with the best of them. Miller brings a solid game to the table, but the team needs to address it's center position.
At the power forward position the Blazers brought back Donyell Marshall because he is a good stretch four. Marshall enjoyed a solid 17/10 with the Blazers in a contract year last year. Donyell has the ability to knock down the three and take his man off the dribble. He also has the knack for finding the open man. Backing him up is Vin Baker who is essentially an expiring contract. Najera is the energy big off the bench who brings some pesky defense from the four position. The Blazers have a solid power forward group, but the room for improvement is clearly evident.
At the small forward position the Blazers find themselves with a lot of question marks. Between Brown, Nachbar, Jeffries and Weatherspoon the Blazers don't really have one starting caliber small forward. The leading candidate to start is Jeffries because of his defensive abilities that he brings to the table. Weatherspoon signed a long term contract, but has regressed ever since. The other two candidates are Brown and Nachbar who haven't looked impressive at all. This is a position that the Blazers will look to upgrade through trades.
The shooting guard position is the strongest spot on this team. Joe Johnson is the leader of this team and is only entering his second year in the league. Johnson can handle the ball, shoot the three and take his man off the dribble. Another impressive feat about Johnson is that he actually takes pride in his man defense. Backing him up will be Woods and Welsch. These two players will probably see limited minutes off the bench with Woods getting the backup spot.
The point guard position is very solid for the Blazers. Sam Cassell is teaching the point guards on the roster, Omar Cook and Erick Barkley. Cook emerged as a leader in the offseason stepping up his game with his improved defense and handling. Barkley stayed the same for the most part in the offseason, probably losing his minutes to Cook in the process. Sam Cassell will be starting as the point guard again for the Blazers. With his age and experience he gives the team the best chance to win ball games.
Overall the Blazers have a decent roster, but there is room for improvement. They will be a fringe playoff team, but looking at the future with Joe Johnson the fans are willing to be patient.
